FG unveils new civil aviation regulatory policy

By The Citizen

The Federal Government on Friday introduced a revised 2013 National Civil Aviation Policy.

The new policy, according to the government, henceforth replaces the 2001 NCAP and addresses the overall benefits of connectivity and globalisation of the Nigerian economy.

The Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, while unveiling the 2013 NCAP in Abuja, said the policy had particular emphasis on investment in airline operations, infrastructure and collaboration with private sector, local communities and various stakeholders.

Oduah, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Aviation Reforms, Mrs. Ann Ene-Ita, observed that the policy contained the mission and vision, as well as the master plan of the aviation sector.

She outlined other areas to be addressed by the policy as state safety programme, accident investigation and prevention, monitoring and control of general aviation, introduction of an effective search and rescue mechanism, and development of an effective and sustainable economic regulatory framework.

She said, 'It is pertinent to state that the aforementioned critical areas were hitherto not captured in the 2001 NCAP. This policy is intended to introduce new and sustainable regulatory regimes into the Nigerian aviation sector.

'The 2013 revised policy focuses on efficient airspace management, human capital development, infrastructural development, and the introduction of dedicated policy and regulatory framework in controlling and monitoring of general aviation operations.

'The implication of the adoption of this policy is that the general aviation, which hitherto had largely operated in the shadow of commercial airlines, now has a dedicated policy, regulatory framework, infrastructure and services to support its operations.'

The minister said the 2013 NCAP would be responsive and adaptable to the new safety, security and technological dynamics of the global aviation industry, strengthen the existing regulatory framework, facilitate the growth of domestic airlines, and support the introduction of affordable flights.

According to her, these measures will, in the long and medium term, improve performance, resilience and passenger experience at the nation's airports.

Oduah explained that prior to the development of the aviation sector master plan and the implementation of the transformation programme, a number of critical steps had been taken.